The Image staff muses on the culture of keeping up appearances

Stella McCartney hosts star-studded premiere of dad's video

April 16, 2012 | 11:57
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Last Friday, as the first night of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival unspooled in Indio, a lower-key but equally as impressive convergence of music and fashion took place at the West Hollywood Stella McCartney boutique, where a constellation of celebrities turned out for the premiere of Paul McCartney's music video "My Valentine" from his most recent album "Kisses on the Bottom."

Pamela Anderson posed for photographs on the red carpet, following on the heels of Jane Fonda, who stepped into the store to join the likes of Ed Ruscha, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Gwen Stefani, Gwyneth Paltrow and Woody Harrelson, who milled about and chatted amiably while team McCartney — Paul (accompanied by wife Nancy Shevell) and fashion designer-daughter Stella shook hands and greeted celebri-fans gathered to watch the video.

It was a rare moment indeed to watch A-list celebrities act like star-struck teens in front of the musician. "I'm such a fan — obviously," said a wide-eyed Zooey Deschanel as she shook Paul's hand. Following that, a proud mother introduced her 8-year-old daughter to Sir Paul, saying: "She can play all your songs on the piano!" as Ginnifer Goodwin looked on.

At about 8:15 p.m., the Beatles-heavy soundtrack went silent and Paul took to the microphone in the tented garden behind his daughter's store. "Hello, hello. Welcome — we're going to show the videos in a minute," he said, before taking explaining how his daughter was the one who suggested he ask Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp to star in the music video for his song "My Valentine."

"Five or six months ago, Stella said: 'Do you have a video for the song? You know that Natalie can [do] sign [language].' And a week after Stella mentioned it, I was back here with the great cinematographer Wally Pfister — who is here tonight. ... What we'd like to do is show Natalie's version, and then Johnny [Depp's] version and then you can eat and drink some more and then I'll be back and we'll show you the 'Come Together' version in about a half an hour."

With that, the lights went dim and the music began, and the black-and-white image of Portman, set against a spare backdrop, filled the movie screen. After Portman finished signing the lyrics to the song, it was followed by a second video, featuring Depp alternately signing and plucking at a guitar.

Although we had to cut out before seeing the "Come Together" version (as Paul called it), we were able to watch it at McCartney's official website. It's embedded below for your viewing pleasure from McCartney's YouTube channel, where you can also view the all-Natalie and all-Johnny versions.